September 2025
Welcome Message from Interim Dean Shawn D. Whiteman
As we begin a new academic year in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends. In the year ahead, we will continue to build on momentum in all areas of our land-grant mission. We are excited to announce new faculty whose expertise will enrich our academic community, strengthen our programs focused on health, human services, and education, and enhance students’ experiences at Utah State University. As the year progresses, we look forward to announcing new investments in academic programs, research, and practice focused on improving human health and well-being—areas of growing importance for the individuals, families, and communities we serve.
Additionally, through dynamic institutes and centers, our college continues to expand services that provide direct benefit to the broader community, advancing our mission of education, discovery, and engagement. A new academic year offers so much promise, and we look forward to working together, building on our shared strengths, and enriching the lives of our students and communities that we serve.
Shawn D. Whiteman, Interim Dean
Research & News
10 New Scholars Join CEHS Faculty for the 2025–26 Academic Year
Faculty and staff of the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services at Utah State University are pleased to welcome its newest faculty members. “The expertise and passion of our new faculty will enliven our academic programs; advance research programs focused on education, health, and human services; and enhance the clinical services we provide to our communities,” says Interim Dean Shawn Whiteman. “I am confident that their contributions will create lasting impacts for the students, families, and partners we serve.”
Interim President Al Smith Recipient of Distinguished Leadership Award from the American Kinesiology Association
The 2025 doctoral institution recipient of the Jerry Thomas Distinguished Leadership Award for exemplary contributions in the field of kinesiology is Interim President and Emma Eccles Jones Endowed Dean Al Smith. The award recognizes the outstanding administrative and leadership performance of an individual at the American Kinesiology Association member institutions who has showcased exceptional administrative and leadership capabilities”.
Two Post-Doctoral Fellows Join CEHS Through Innovative NSF-Funded Program
A 2024 grant award from the National Science Foundation has enabled the School of Teacher Education and Leadership and the Department of Instruction Technology and Learning Sciences to each hire a post-doctoral fellow into a unique program that aims to transition them directly into tenure-line positions within the college at the completion of the two-year program. In August, post-doctoral fellows Eric Kirk and Khanh Tran joined CEHS as part of the inaugural program.
Interdisciplinary Team Awarded NSF Grant to Investigate Mathematics Teacher Retention in Utah High Schools
Three USU professors have been awarded a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program within the NSF. Their research will seek to understand how support in work and home life impact the retention rates of Utah school teachers—specifically among special education and general education math teachers in the upper grades (6-12)—so policies and practices can be established to improve teacher retention.
IDRPP Awarded $750K Grant to Improve Employment for People with Disabilities
The Center for Employment & Inclusion at the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (IDRPP) will begin researching an innovative approach to employing people with significant support needs. A nearly $750K Field Initiated Projects grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research will fund a randomized controlled trial study on customized employment.
Upcoming Events
Annual CEHS Scholarship and Awards Banquet
Tuesday, September 23
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Taggart Student Center Ballroom
USU Logan Campus
Free parking available at the Big Blue Parking Terrace.
For more information, contact Emily Brothersen
at emily.brothersen@usu.edu.
